Highway signal



April 28, 1942. o. H. HERSHMAN HIGHWAY SIGNAL Filed Oct. 13, 1939 m WM V5 m a i M 0 ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 28, 1942 UNITED 1 STATES PATENT OFFICE HIGHWAY SIGNAL Okla H. Hcrshman, Indianapolis, Ind. Application October 13, 1939, Serial No. 299,249

14 Claims.

The present invention, in some of its aspects; is an improvement on the signal or sign described in my prior Patent No. 2,113,759, and like the invention of such prior patent, relates .to flexible chains adapted to be applied to supporting panels to delineate signs or signals. Usually, the links of such a chain carry light-reflecting elements or buttons which, owing to the flexibility of the chain, can be arranged in any desired pattern and secured to a, suitable supporting panel.

It is the object of my present invention to increase the flexibility and possibilities of use of such a chain and, at the same time, to simplify and cheapen its manufacture.

In carrying out the present invention, each link of the chain is formed of two elements pivotally interconnected about the axis of the lightrefiecting button or equivalent element. The several links are interconnected together through pivotal and slotted connections, the pivotal character of the connection permitting the chain to be arranged in any predetermined pattern and the slotted character of the connection permitting variation of the distance between adjacent buttons. Conveniently, the two elements forming each link of the chain are made of sheetmetal and have interfitting circular body portions. One element of each link is provided with a radially projecting elongated ear having a radially extending slot, and the other. element is provided with another ear having a boss received in the slot of the elongated ear of the adjacent link.

The accompanying drawing illustrates my invention: Fig. 1 is a plan view of one form of chainin which my invention has been embodied; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the chain shown in Fig. 1; Figs. 3 and 4 are plan views respectively of the two elements making up each link of the chain shown in Figs. 1 and 2;;Figs. 5 and 6 are sections through the two link-elements of Figs. 3 and 4 respectively; Fig. '7 is a section illustrating a modified form of element corresponding to the element shown in Figs.

4 and 6; Figs. 8 and 9 are plan views of the two link elements making up a chain embodying a modified form of light-reflecting element; Figs. 10 and n 11 are sections through the two link elements shown in Figs. 8 and 9 respectively; Fig. 12 is a sectional view on a somewhat enlarged scale showing the element of Figs. 8 and 10 assembled with the element of Figs. 9 and 11; Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 but illustrating a construction suitable for use with still a differcut form of light-reflecting unit; Fig. 14 is a plan view of a modified form of the invention employing a different method of interconnecting adjacent links; Fig. 15 is a side elevation of the link shown in Fig. 14; Fig, 15 is a transverse section through a chain made up of the links shown in Figs. 14 and 15; Fig. 16 is a section through a modified form of link element which can be substituted for that illustrated in Figs.

extends radially outwardly, as is clear from Figs.

3 and 5.

Each of the elements 2| likewise has a generally ring-like body portion having at one face an inwardly extending annular flange 21 and at the other face an ear 28 which projects radially outwardly. The ear 28 is relatively long and. is provided with an elongated slot 29, the material removed in the formation of which may be bent inwardly over the cup to form a tongue 36.

The dimensions of the body portion of each element 2| are such as to permit it to receive a light-reflecting element of its equivalent. In Figs. 1 and 2, I have shown light-reflecting elements in the form of glass disks 32 the front face of each of which is provided with a multiplicity of generally hemispherical projections and the rear face of which is silvered or otherwise rendered of light-reflecting character. If; desired, each of the buttons 32 may be received in a cup 33 of soft rubber or other suitable material which protects the rear face of the elements from attack by the elements and also tends to prevent breakage. The button 32 is held in place in the link-element 2| by the tongue 30.

For the purpose of holding the two elements of each link together, the annular flange 21 of each of the link-elements 2| may be provided with a plurality of ears 34 which are formed originally as inward extensions of the flange 21 but which, after assemblage, are bent outwardly over the flange 25 of the associated link-element 20.

Means are provided for pivotally interconnecting the ear 2B of each link with the longer ear 28 of an adjacent link. This may conveniently be done by extruding the central portion of each of the ears 26 into a boss 35 of such a diameter as to be received within the slot 29 in the ear 28 of the adjacent link and by turning the edge of such extruded boss outwardly to form a flange 36. The slot 29 may be widened as indicated at 29' adjacent the body portion of each of the elements 2| to permit passage of the flange 36. In assembling a chain of links so formed, the flange 3B of one link is passed through the widened slotportion 29 of the adjacent link, and the two links are then moved apart so that the boss 35 will be received in the narrower portion of the slot 29. Alternatively, formation of the flange may be deferred until after the boss 35 has been passed through the slot 29. If this slotis widened as indicated at 29', I prefer to place the boss 35 far enough from the outer end of the ear 26 that the boss cannot enter the widened slot-portion 29' unless the two adjacent links are swung into approximately perpendicular relationship.

A chain such as has been described is exceedingly flexible and possesses wide possibilities of use. Each link may be swung angularly to any desired position about the of the boss 35 of the adjacent link; and, in addition, the spacing between adjacent light-reflecting buttons or equivalent elements can be varied by sliding the bosses 35 in the slots 29. If desired, each of the link-elements 2!! may be provided opposite the ear 26 with a second car 39 provided with an opening 48. The chain may be held against a supporting panel 4| by means of nails or screws 42 which pass into the panel through the bosses 35, through the slots 29, or through the holes 30 in the ears 39.

If, for any reason, it is desired to limit the possibilities of movement of adjacent elements in the chain, the ends of one or more of the tongues 3i] may be bent outwardly through the slots 29 overlapping them, as indicated at 3B in Fig. 17.

In the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, I have shown the central portion of each chain element as a substantially complete ring or cup, but this is not essential. Thus, I may substitute for each link-element 2! a link-element 2| such as is illustrated in Fig. 7 and in which the major portion of the body of the cen..-. tral part is eliminated to leave only the flange 27 with its cars 34. Such a chain element can be assembled with the chain element 20 to form a complete link, the bearing between the two chain elements being formed by the out-bent ears 34. Or, instead of eliminating the major portion of the body of each of the link-elements 2!, I may do the same thing with each of the link-elements 20, as indicated in Fig. 1'7. Here, the body portion of the link-element 2i is restricted to the flange 25. A link-element 2% may be used with a link-element 2 I, the fingers i l on the latter, when bent outwardly over the flanges 25, serving to interconnect the two link-elements pivotally.

In the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 8 to 12 inclusive, I have illustrated chain-elements adapted to use a different form oflight-reilecting unit. In the chain of Figs. 8 to 12, each link is formed of two intersecting elements 55] and The element 50 is formed with a frusto-conical body portion 52 provided with the laterally extending ear 25 equipped with the flanged boss 35. The central portion of the element 5! is in the form of a disk having its central portion dished as indicated at 53 and provided with the slotted tongue 28. Around the periphery of the dished portion 53 of each of the elements 5| there extends an annular series of ears 54.

The link-elements, or at least each link element 5!, is formed of bright metal so that the inner face of each dished central portion 53 will possess light-reflecting properties. In the assembled chain, each of the dished central portions 53 contains a plurality of glass beads 55 held in place by a transparent cover 5%. In assembling the chain, the glass beads are put in place, covered by the cover 56, and alternate ones of the ears 5d are bent inwardly over the periphery of the cup to secure it in position. The remaining cars 54 are bent inwardly to an extent sufficient to permit them to pass through the irusto-conical central portion 52 of the chain element 50, and the ends are then bent outwardly over that frustoconical portion 52as indicated at the right in Fig. 12.

The chain illustrated in Fig. 13 is one which is adapted to carry relatively deep light-reflecting buttons. Each of such buttons comprises a lens-like glass body 58 and a cup-like casing 6| therefor. This casing is provided adjacent its open end with an exterior annular flange $2 and, at its opposite end, with a threaded stud 63.

The chain link in which each button ti 6l is mounted is formed of two parts 5d and $5, generally similar respectively to the two part 20 and 2| of the chain illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6, but having central body portions deep enough to receive the button-housing Ed. The two elements of each link are held in assembled relation and the associated button t9tl in place therein by means of a cup 65 which surrounds the buttonhousing 6i and the open end of which bears against the inner surface of the flange 27 on the link-element 85, the cup being retained in position by a not (it on the stud 63. i

The link illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15 consists of two elements iii and ii respectively similar to the elements 25 and 25 of Figs. 1 to 6. Instead of an ear similar to the car it, however, the linkelement 70 is provided with an ear E2 which is bent downwardly and slotted at its sides as indicated at 13. The elongated car 28 on the linkelement 'H is provided with a slot id having a width substantially equal to the distance between the bottoms of the two notches '63 in the ear 12. In assembling links of the type illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15, one link is placed at right angles to the other and the'ear 72 passed through the slot M. Upon bringing the two links into approximate alinement, the sides of the ear 28 enter the slots 73 and prevent separation of the links.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the class described, a series of interconnected links, each of said links comprising a pair of interfitting relatively rotatable cups, a light-reflecting element mounted in the inner one of said cups, each of said cups being provided with a radially projecting ear, and means pivotally interconnecting ears on adjacent links, one of the cars so interconnected being provided with an elongated slot in which the interconnecting means is received, said slot having a widened portion through which said interconnecting means may be withdrawn.

2. In a device of the class described, a series of interconnected links, each of said links comprising a pair of interntting relatively rotatable cups, a light-reflecting element mounted in the inner one of said cups, each of said cups being provided with a radially projecting ear, aind means pivotally interconnecting ears on adjacent links, one of the ears so interconnected being provided with an elongated slot in which the interconnecting means is received, said cups and ears being formed of sheet metal and said slot being formed by removal of a tongue of metal which is bent inwardly of its associated cup and over the light-reflecting element therein.

3. In a device of the class described, a series of interconnected links, each of said links comprising a pair of interfitting relatively rotatable cups, a light-reflecting element mounted in the inner one of said cups, each of said cups being provided with a radially projecting ear, and means pivotally interconnecting ears on adjacent links, one of the ears so interconnected being provided with an elongated slot in which the interconnecting means is received.

4. In a device of the class described, a series of interconnected links, each of said links comprising a pair of relatively rotatable members, alight-reflecting element mounted in one of said members at their axis of relative rotation, each of said members being provided with a radially projecting ear, and means pivotally interconnecting ears on adjacent links, one of the ears so interconnected being provided with an elongated slot in which the interconnecting means is received, said slot having a widened portion through which said interconnecting means may be withdrawn.

5. In a device of the class described, a series of interconnected links, each of said links comprising a pair of relatively rotatable members, a light-reflecting element mounted in one of said members at their axis of relative rotation, each of said members being provided with a radially projecting ear, and means pivotally interconnecting ears on adjacent links, one of the ears so interconnected being provided with an elongated slot in which the interconnecting means is received.

6. In a device of the class described, a series of interconnected links, each of saidlinks comprising a pair of relatively rotatable members, a lightreflecting element mounted in one of said members, each of said members being provided with a radiallyprojecting ear, and means pivotally interconnecting ears on adjacent links, one of the ears so interconnected being provided with an elongated slot in which the interconnecting means is received.

7. In a device of the class described, a series of interconnected links, and light reflecting elements carried by said links, each of said links having a pair of outwardly extending ears of sheet-metal one of which is provided with an opening extending therethrough, the other of said ears being provided with a boss received in the opening of an adjacent link, said boss being integral with the associated arm and having at its outer end an integral flange of a diameter larger than the width of such opening in the adjacent link.

8. The invention set forth in claim 7 with the addition that said opening is an elongated slot and has a widened portion through which said flange may be passed to permit the separation of adjacent links.

9. The invention set forth in claim 7 with the addition that said opening is an elongated slot.

10. In a device of the class described, a series of interconnected links, and light reflecting elements carried by said links, each of said links having a pair of outwardly extending ears one of which is provided with an elongated slot and the other of which is provided with means pivotally and slidably receivedin the slot of an adjacent link.

11. The invention set forth in claim 10 with the addition that said slot is provided with a widened portion through which said means may be withdrawn.

12. The invention set forth in claim 10 with the. addition that said slotted ear is of sheet metal, the slot therein being formed by removal of a tongue of metal which is bent over the associated light-reflecting element to retain it in place in the link.

13. In a device of the type described, a series of link members, means pivotally connecting adjacent link members together, and light-reflecting elements associated with at least alternate ones of said pivotally-connecting means, at least alternate ones of said link members being provided respectively with longitudinal slots for slidably receiving the associated pivot means whereby the distance between adjacent lightreflecting elements may be varied.

14. In a device of the type described, a series of link members, means pivotally connecting adjacent link members together, and light-reflecting elements associated with alternate pivotallyconnecting means, one of the two link members pivotally interconnected by each of the remaining pivotally-connecting means being provided with a slot for slidably receiving the associated pivot means whereby the distance between adjacent light-reflecting elements may be varied.

OKLA H. HERSHMAN. 

